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Castro Valley, CA 10/15-16 AAR

Started by Nero, October 17, 2011, 03:29:18 AM

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Nero

October 17, 2011, 03:29:18 AM Last Edit: October 21, 2011, 08:11:23 PM by Nero
This weekend saw 41 Americans (and 1 Kiwi) get off the couch and come out to the beautiful Chabot Gun Club in Castro Valley for some marksmanship and heritage.  We had a great mix of young and old, experienced and novice, and some awesome California fall weather as well.

We started off the weekend the right way, as previous riflemen Albert and Matthew (another Kiwi!), stepped up to take orange hats, and got right to work with the growing Bay Area instructor corps.   ^:)^

We were joined by shoot boss V, making the trek up from SoCal, who's finally seeing his goal of getting Bay Area Appleseed on its feet fulfilled.  Thanks for all you've done for us, Phil!   :bow:

And in addition we had franklinfarmer as a guest instructor, visiting from Georgia and taking a weekend from his sabbatical at Stanford to support the local program.  You can border raid with us any time, John!   O0 Thanks for the help.

With all the 'hats' available to assist, we were able to break our usual equipment setup bottleneck, send that nasty time monkey slinking back into the woods, and turn on the firehose of instruction.  The morning redcoats showed some good stuff, but also a lot of room for improvement, and we got right down to it.  Blue Hat AmericanAmazon (Pat) called the line so all the instructors could get down on the line with the shooters.  By lunch time we had worked our way through prone, the 6 steps and NPOA, and given the shooters a taste of timed fire in cadence.   Groups were shrinking as instructors helped several shooters puzzle out unfamiliar and downright ornery sight systems.  !@#)

V and franklinfarmer presented the first and second strikes of the match to an attentive audience.  Then back to it as we posted green coats and worked through sitting and standing positions.   Shooters picked up on these well, and the group was one of the best I've seen at quickly determining workable sitting positions.  That sped us along into our first AQT of the weekend, shot stage by stage with instruction.  When the dust settled, our first Rifleman of the shoot had been found:  John Hall put up a no-mistake-about-it 238, the best score of the weekend.  ^:)^  He then reconfirmed it several times on Sunday: a man who knows very well what he is about.

The evening redcoat showed substantial improvement, and we lost far fewer to the regulars' bayonets.  After the third strike of the match and benediction by yours truly, the shooters were counseled to take their 'vitamin A' and return refreshed in the morning.

Sunday brought an influx of returning veteran 'seeders, working to finish their quests for the Rifleman score.  After speeding through instructional reviews, and sighting in new rifles and shooters, we got right into the AQTs.   The mix of veterans and 2nd day seeders was a pleasure to work with - always quick to finish up preparation, and helping us keep the day moving along.

At lunchtime we acknowledged two Rifleman.  Eben had returned to reconfirm his earlier score from April's shoot.  And Sam, who had come out and practiced at every one of my light rifle sessions between August's shoot and this weekend, showed what persistence is worth by putting up a 221 on his first AQT of the day.  I think there's a lesson there!   O0

After some tales of Dangerous Old Men and Determined Dames from V, franklinfarmer, AmericanAmazon, and myself, we got right into the Grind.  After two more passes at the AQT, we paused to work on some NPOA issues by shooting a star.  franklinfarmer kindly jumped in to lead this and call the line for a while, saving our dwindling voices.  :bow:  When we went downrange to check on results, Bethany, our only first time Appleseeder on Sunday, had showed the guys how to do it with a great group.

Then back into the grind, with three more AQTs.  Some shooters were tiring, but others were hammering on the door, keeping our 'hats' frantically scoring targets.  The evening redcoat showed just how far we had come - with a full 40% of the line qualifying for Morgan's riflemen!  :---

We closed the shooting day with some thoughts about Liberty.  franklinfarmer kindly consented to an impromptu presentation of the political philosophies that inspired the Founders, while AmericanAmazon and I counterpointed with an enactment of the interview of the 4/19/1775 veteran Captain Preston who had "never heard of these men" (Locke, et. al.) but who knew "we had always governed ourselves, and we always meant to".  Two sides of the same story that made America the exceptional place it should always remain.

Then on to final awards - three youth shooters had persevered through the weekend, and came forward with their proud parents to receive patches.  Then John Hall stepped up to take the orange hat and join the instructor corps.   ^:)^  Welcome aboard! 

We'd been sandbagging a few targets so we could see what else the shooters could accomplish.   >:D  So Ethan might have been a bit surprised when we told him he'd busted that door down by 10 points.  That's one of the biggest smiles I've seen at a 'seed!  And fireman Ben brought it in on the last AQT of the day.  Way to hang in there, Rifleman!

There were lots of others knocking on the door, of which I'll specifically mention our Kiwi visitor from afar, Adrian.  209 at his first Appleseed, so close!

Rumor has it there might be another orange hat or two to appear after families are consulted, but it's already clear that we're going to be growing the program in the Bay Area next year.  We're already confirmed to return to Chabot Gun club in the same slot - 3d weekends of even numbered months - and we'll be looking to expand to other dates and ranges as well.  So keep practicing, and watch the schedule!

"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

franklinfarmer

#1
October 17, 2011, 06:22:54 PM
It was a delight to meet and work with all of you Californians...and visitors from as far away as New Zealand!  Many thanks for your hospitality and dedication to come out and strike another blow for liberty.

John
It is certain, I think, that the best government is the one that governs least. But there is a much-neglected corollary: the best citizen is the one who least needs governing. The answer to big government is not private freedom, but private responsibility.

--Wendell Berry, "The Loss of the Future" in The Long-Legged House  (1969)

The problem is not Democrats.  The problem is Republicans who lack the intellectual clarity to become libertarians and libertarians who lack the physical discipline to become riflemen.  ---Kenneth Royce

winks

#2
October 17, 2011, 06:59:55 PM
For a first time Appleseeder I can say it was an excellent experience, both the history and the marksmanship. I was the NZ visitor and will be attending again as soon as I can, not only to get my Riflemans patch but because I agree with the message being put forward and how it was being done.

I really appreciate how helpful, and focused the instructors all were, I think every one of them gave me assistance at some stage in the weekend. Big thanks to V for sorting me out the rifle, ammo, mat, ears and eyes!!

Don't stop doing these weekend workshops guys, If I move close to the area you can count on my support and help in the future.

Nero

#3
October 17, 2011, 09:00:48 PM
As promised during the wrap-up on Sunday, for those who want to practice at the Chabot range, there's information about the public lines and my AS-friendly class, plus the 'zombie triangle' targets available over here:
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=23542.0

That's a standing post in the California state board, so while you're at it, poke around and see what else is going on with Appleseed in Cali.

And if I didn't explicitly say it, the light rifle activity is rimfire only.  And you need to shoot triangles, not silhouettes, on the public lines. 
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

Johnnyappleseed

#4
October 17, 2011, 09:47:00 PM
Welcome aboard winks.
See you on the trail
Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge

Nero

#5
October 18, 2011, 01:29:44 AM
Hey, Ben and Ethan, if you're reading this, would you PM me?  I think you got out of there before I gave you the rockers that go along with your patches.  If you give me an address and let me know whether you want OD or tan, I'll mail 'em to you.

Pix coming soon!
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

Nitroxdiver

#6
October 18, 2011, 02:32:47 AM
Hi Nero, John Hall here. Just signed up on the forum. Great weekend, thank you and a job well done. It was great making Rifleman with you and V running the show.

Drop me an email about what I need to do to start my IIT training. I should be able to help out at December AS.

Take care and thanks again.

V

#7
October 18, 2011, 02:59:48 AM
Quote from: Nitroxdiver on October 18, 2011, 02:32:47 AM

Drop me an email about what I need to do to start my IIT training. I should be able to help out at December AS.

PM/email inbound

RolinCode3

#8
October 18, 2011, 09:27:28 PM
To Tim, Phil and John -

Thank you all (and the assistant instructors also) for a great weekend of shooting.  I learned a lot not only about shooting long guns (this was my first formal training), but also a lot about our history, which I am fascinated by.  Looking forward to our paths crossing again somewhere down the line...

Ben

Nero

#9
October 19, 2011, 12:20:55 AM
Finally, some pix!  I know there were other cameras in action - post 'em up!

Starting the shoot out right - Albert takes the orange hat!  ^:)^


And Matthew joins the IIT ranks!

Those hats look good on you gents - red will look even better!

Amazing what this $12 strip of cloth can do for you - Brian demos slings


Steady hold factors


The line bosses' view - we're down there trying to hide from the NOISE  :---


Phil (V) gives the first strike of the match


John (franklinfarmer) came all the way from Georgia to give us the 2nd strike


Ready for standing


Taking it in...


Welcome back, guys!


Breathe out, relax - it's a beautiful thing!   **)


First Rifleman of the shoot - give it up for John Hall!   ^:)^


Yours truly takes the green hat


Into the Grind  (there's an end-to-end series of the entire line in the album)


Is Phil proving he really can snooze in prone?


Sunday Riflemen - Sam shows that persistence pays off!


Eben requalifies - his April score was no fluke!


What's that target saying?


Teri had the line beat for style


Hal and his bolt gun toughed it out for the whole weekend

(More individual shots in the album)

All ready on the firing line...!


John gives us some thoughts on the philosophy of Liberty


Our posterity, with proud parents


John Hall steps up to take the orange hat - looks good on you, sir! 


Rifleman!  It feels good!  Huzzah for Ethan!


Ben persists and earns the patch on the last AQT of the day!

(Has anyone got a better photo for him?  The batteries on our good camera had died by this point.)

Some final thoughts - and we'll see you next time!


The whole album is at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114208333789247233986/CastroValley1011#
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass

NorCal22Gal

#10
October 19, 2011, 09:50:29 PM
Sounds like an awesome shoot!!  NERO....CONGRATS  ^:)^ ON THE NEW HAT!!!!  WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

Mr Pete

#11
October 20, 2011, 02:08:52 AM
Nice Hat Nero!

Looks like I missed a great time with more great people.  Congrats to...well everyone!  They fought the apathy...the malaise of our time.  Everyone exercised their rights and had fun doing it!

Hopefully I'll be back up there sometime soon!

-Pete
"You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need." – Jerry Gillies

Sputnik

#12
October 29, 2011, 06:34:04 PM
I just got on the AS forum so I want to say thank you once again to all involved, it was a good time.
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